Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez

Denise Fort, professor emeritus at the University of New Mexico, is a Western water policy expert with an extensive background in environmental and natural resources law. Fort joins “Conversations Different” to discuss environmental and policy issues facing New Mexico’s water resources. She talks about the state’s 50-year water plan, the lack of legal protections for New Mexico’s water sources and the need to rethink how the state distributes its water. She also touches on the need to change the use of water in the state when it comes to agriculture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diana Tarasiewicz is in her first year as director of nutrition services for Santa Fe Public Schools. A chef by training, Tarasiewicz previously served as culinary specialist and project coordinator at the New Mexico Public Education Department’s Student Success and Wellness Bureau. She joins "Conversations Different" to talk about the numbers behind school meals at Santa Fe Public Schools, the staffing challenges the district faces and how it works to overcome them, and how close the district is to complying with the Senate Bill 4. The bill places high priority on freshly cooked meals and locally grown foods at schools, and it has been met with harsh criticism by some administrators and nutrition officials who say the changes impose costly requirements. Tarasiewicz said the district is already well on its way to complying. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the third straight year, the Institute of American Indian Arts and Santa Fe Community College will both host open houses on the same day. On Thursday, Sept. 19, the schools will welcome community members and prospective students on their campuses to showcase their facilities and highlight the programs they offer. Both schools will open their studios for art demonstrations and provide tours of their facilities. IAIA President Robert Martin and SFCC President Becky Rowley join "Conversations Different" to speak about all their schools have to offer and what to expect for the open houses at the campuses that are just a seven-minute drive from each other. SFCC's open house takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information can be found at https://www.sfcc.edu/iaia-sfcc-open-house-24/. IAIA's open house is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit https://iaia.edu/about/2024-iaia-open-house/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Site is by far the largest such site in New Mexico with estimates of more than 100,000 petroglyphs at the location. The site near the Rio Grande north of Española covers a patchwork of private land, as well as some Bureau of Land Management Land. Artist Katherine Wells purchased property on Mesa Prieta in the 1990s and soon discovered there were thousands of petroglyphs on her land. She started the Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project in 1999 to document the remarkable cultural resources and to advocate for their preservation. Wells donated the majority of the property to The Archaeological Conservancy in 2007 to ensure its continued protection. Volunteers have helped record approximately 80,000 petroglyphs so far. The Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a two-day symposium Sept. 13-14 at Northern New Mexico College. Wells and Matthew Martinez, the Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project’s executive director, join “Conversations Different” to talk about the people who left their mark on the rocks, share the impact the project has had for them and for others, and discuss how the organization has supported educational opportunities to teach local students about the significance of the site. Learn more about the Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project at www.mesaprietapetroglyphs.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Court Appointed Special Advocates First Judicial District, known as CASA First, is an organization that supports and promotes volunteer advocacy so that children and youth who are trauma-impacted or system-involved can be safe, develop permanent connections and have the opportunity to thrive. CASA First volunteers offer a voice in and out of court for infants, children and youth who are currently in foster care in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties. Executive Director Annie Rasquin, Program Support Specialist Grace Korthuis and board Vice President Veronica Krupnick join "Conversations Different" to explain the mission of CASA First, talk about the impact of the organization and its volunteers on local youth, spotlight CASA First's recruiting effort and talk about what it's been like being part of the organization. They also discuss Abrigo Advocates, who offer support for those who are not actively in the foster care system but have been impacted by trauma or have been system involved. To learn more about the organization and how to get involved, visit https://casafirst.org/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labor Day weekend 2024 kicks off Friday night with a major milestone for one of Santa Fe's biggest and most beloved annual events. The buildup for the 100th burning of Zozobra has been years in the making. Ray Sandoval, the event chair for the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, joins "Conversations Different" along with 9-year-old volunteer David Kesler to preview the big event. Sandoval talks about his early beginnings with the event and the promise he made as a teenager to Harold Gans, the longtime voice of Zozobra, to get Zozobra to its 100th burning. Sandoval shares some of the history of the event, talks about how it has grown and evolved over the years to keep the public's interest, offers an overview of the security that's needed to put on such a large-scale event, goes over some misconceptions about Zozobra, and teases what Old Man Gloom will look like this year. To learn more about Zozobra and find ticket information, visit burnzozobra.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meghan Montelibano Gorman, a mother of two young children, said she struggled to find community in Santa Fe when she moved to the city freshly postpartum. While working to compile resources, she has shared her knowledge with others online and, in turn, has found support from other parents and caregivers. Montelibano Gorman's website, santafam.com, includes a calendar with free and low-cost events for young children as well as guides for dining out and visiting parks in Santa Fe with babies and/or toddlers. She also organizes regular "Coffee & Crying" meetups for mothers and caregivers to talk about experiences and feelings that have come with raising young children. Learn more by visiting santafam.com or following on Instagram @_santafam_.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each year an estimated 100,000 people attend the Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest juried Native American art show in the world. This year's market takes place Aug. 17 and 18, with related events occurring in the days leading up to the market. Kenneth Johnson, a Muscogee/Seminole jeweler and sculptor with a studio in Santa Fe, has been involved in the market since the 1990s. Johnson joins "Conversations Different" to discuss the impact the Santa Fe Indian Market has had on him and his career, talks about relationships among the artists, and shares how his contributions to the design of an Indian Market-themed 2025 Indian Scout Bobber that is up for auction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Water is a precious resource in New Mexico, the state with the lowest percentage of its area covered by water. That makes how water is managed in the state incredibly important. In this episode of "Conversations Different," Deputy State Engineer Tanya Trujillo and Interstate Stream Commission Director Hannah Riseley-White share their insight on New Mexico's water management and resource planning. They discuss New Mexico's compacts with neighboring states and water issues facing New Mexico. They also talk about the Water Security Planning Act passed unanimously by the during the 2023 state legislative session, and upcoming opportunities the public has to share input on how the statute will be implemented.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The month of July is recognized as Disability Pride Month in the United States. On July 13, the first Disability Pride Parade held in New Mexico was organized in Santa Fe by Disability Pride New Mexico. The new nonprofit was recently created to advance the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities through policy advocacy and community awareness initiatives. Disability Pride New Mexico's three board members — Eli Fresquez, Kathlyne Gish and Angelique Montoya-Chavez — join "Conversations Different" to talk about the mission of the organization and share their backgrounds. They discuss what it's like for people with disabilities to live in Santa Fe and the attitude they've encountered that since Santa Fe is a historic city, it doesn't need to comply with ADA standards, which is untrue. Learn more about Disability Pride New Mexico at https://www.disabilitypridenm.org/. Read the transcript at https://share.descript.com/view/swFzGygxkFKSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Atrisco Heritage Foundation took over Santa Fe's troubled Traditional Spanish Market in 2023 and has sought to bring stability to one of the city's premier summer market events. In the second year of stewardship of the country's oldest and largest juried art show of its kind, the organization looks to promote and strengthen the unique cultural event. Atrisco Companies CEO Peter Sanchez and COO/CFO Brian O'Connell join "Conversations Different" to share information on what the Atrisco Heritage Foundation is and why the organization felt it was the perfect fit to take over operations of the Traditional Spanish Market. They also talk about future plans for the market, the importance of developing trust with the artists, the need to encourage the youth to stay involved in the art forms, and how "traditional Spanish art" is defined. To learn more about the Traditional Spanish Market, which takes place July 27-28, 2024, on the Santa Fe Plaza, visit traditionalspanishmarket.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in April called for the state's legislators to convene for a special session to address New Mexico's public safety needs. Democratic leaders in the Legislature, a coalition of advocacy organizations and others have since expressed concerns about the five proposals the governor is pushing. Ben Baker, senior public safety advisor to the Office of the Governor, joins "Conversations Different" to review the governor's public safety-related priorities for the special session. He also discusses the input he and other officials have received related to public safety concerns from citizens across the state, shares a personal experience of gun violence involving children, and talks about how crime stats don't always reflect the feelings of members of a community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stacey Edgar was named executive director of the International Folk Art Market in January. Edgar joins “Conversations Different” to talk about preparations for the 20th annual International Folk Art Market, her history with the event, and IFAM's mission of creating economic opportunities with folk artists across the world. The 2023 iteration of the market saw artists bring in a record $3.4 million in its first year at Santa Fe’s Railyard Park after spending previous years on Museum Hill. Edgar discusses the successes of the move and the changes that will take place for this year’s event, which takes place July 11-14. She also talks about the free Community Day, the first free day in the market’s history, on July 14. To learn more about the International Folk Art Market and purchase tickets, visit https://folkartmarket.org/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor and producer Alec Baldwin will stand trial this month facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2021 on-set shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during production of the film "Rust" near Santa Fe. Santa Fe New Mexican courts reporter Phaedra Haywood joins "Conversations Different" to offer a breakdown of developments that have unfolded over the past three years and provides a preview of what to look for during the trial. Haywood talks about the trial earlier this year in which "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, and what her role may be in the Baldwin trial. Haywood also discusses the motions the defense has made to try to get the case dismissed, as well as the massive media interest that the case has generated.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheila Lewis is an extreme risk protection order trainer and consultant who works with the nonprofit New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence. She has trained about 500 people on extreme risk protection orders, also known as red flag laws, that prohibits possession or purchase of a firearm by a person who is experiencing a mental health crisis and poses an imminent, serious danger to themselves or others. New Mexico’s extreme risk protection order act was passed in 2020 but has so far been rarely used because it is not well understood. Lewis works with with police departments and community groups around New Mexico to educate them on extreme risk protection orders. Lewis joins "Conversations Different" to discuss extreme risk protection orders and what's needed to reduce gun violence in the state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johanna Gilligan, chief external affairs officer at Homewise, talks about issues facing Santa Fe involving land use and previews the local and national experts who will give their presentations in Santa Fe for the Livability Speaker Series, presented by Homewise. Topics include why homelessness is a housing problem, why affordable housing is in such short supply, considering more density in Santa Fe's future, and how to make car-centric cities more pedestrian friendly and connected. The monthly events continue Thursday, June 20, and run through October. To see the lineup and schedule for the Livability Speaker Series, visit www.livabilityspeakerseries.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raashan Ahmad is a hip-hop artist and DJ in Santa Fe who is the executive director of Vital Spaces and co-founder of Earthseed Black Arts Alliance. He joins “Conversations Different” to discuss his path to Santa Fe and his passion for the community. Ahmad touches on the history of African Americans in New Mexico and previews the upcoming Juneteenth celebration on the Plaza, which takes place Saturday, June 15. The event, which goes from 3-9 p.m., will feature vendors, food and live performances including the Hot 8 Brass Band from New Orleans. Ahmad also talks about his work with organizations that provide resources to people in the community to help them express themselves through art. “What I’m excited about is providing access and resources to folks who don’t have it,” Ahmad said. “If that’s throwing free dance parties, if that’s throwing a free event, if that’s opening up a community theater, all of it is in line with the underlying goal of just trying to make sure that folks who are not seen get seen.” Learn more about Vital Spaces at https://www.vitalspaces.org/ and Earthseed Black Arts Alliance at https://www.earthseedblackarts.org/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert McCormick created the Santa Fe Foodies Facebook group in 2018 and it has grown into a lively forum of more than 41,000 members who are passionate about the city's food scene. McCormick has also launched a website, santafefoodiesnm.com, to help residents and locals navigate the area's hundreds of dining options. McCormick joins "Conversations Different" to talk about the work he's put in to build Santa Fe Foodies into a full-time job and the community that's grown under its umbrella. He also discusses some of the most popular topics in the Facebook group and how Santa Fe Foodies has impacted his life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.